With all the votes now counted, Ireland has become the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriages by popular vote.

The results from all the constituencies have now been declared. Ireland has voted for same-sex marriages with 62.1 percent Yes to 37.9 percent No, or 1,201,607 votes to 734,300. The total turnout was 60.5 percent.

Local media proclaim that the Friday referendum has granted ultimate support to gay marriages, a culmination of a four-decade struggle for gay rights.

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The polls have closed in the Republic of Ireland, where voters have been taking part in a referendum on whether to legalise same-sex marriage.

More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country’s constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Polling stations closed at 22:00 BST and counting is due to start on Saturday morning.

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A fishing trawler that was dragged backwards off the coast of Northern Ireland may have caught a Russian submarine in a net, fishermen have said.

The Karen was badly damaged when it was suddenly pulled along at 10 knots (nearly 12mph) and only managed to break free when it released the wires connecting the net to the boat.

Skipper Paul Murphy told Down News he was almost knocked off his feet when the trawler lurched backwards.

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Ireland’s deputy prime minister was trapped in a car for two hours on Saturday afternoon after being surrounded by demonstrators protesting against water charges.

Joan Burton, the Labour party leader, had to be rescued by Garda Síochána officers when her vehicle was trapped within a large angry crowd in the Jobstown area of west Dublin.

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